The Emperor's Revenge (Oregon Files 11)

“What do you think that’s about?” Linda wondered aloud.

“It can’t be a coincidence,” Juan replied.

“Only one way to find out,” Gretchen said, putting her arm through Juan’s. “Let’s ask.”

Juan shrugged. “Tourists?”

“That’s what I had in mind.”

“All right.” He turned to Linda, Trono, and MacD. “The three of you, wait here.”

“Wait a sec,” Trono said. “That might not be the real police.”

“Mike’s right,” MacD said. “They could be pulling off the same trick he and Ah did in Malta.”

“If that’s the case,” Linda said, “they might recognize the two of you.”

Juan frowned. They had a point. With all of their rain hoods pulled down, no ID was possible from this distance. But up close, Juan and Gretchen would be readily identifiable. “You have another idea?”

“No,” Linda said, grabbing Trono’s hand. “Same idea, different people. Be back in a minute.”

Trono smiled at MacD before Linda led him away. Soon they were talking and laughing like a newlywed couple.

MacD looked at Juan with a sardonic grin. “She picked him instead of me? Ah will never hear the end of it.”

—

Linda wasn’t as experienced as the Chairman in deceptive practices, but she thought this would be an easy task. She was just worried about Trono. She’d chosen him because MacD might lay it on too thick, especially with that accent of his. Trono seemed more like a normal, unassuming boyfriend.

But now that they were walking, she was having second thoughts.

“What should I say?” Trono worried even as he was fake-laughing like she told him to. “I can parachute out of helicopters. I can dive down to three hundred feet. Acting isn’t really my thing, although I make a good fake drunk on occasion.”

“We’ll work on that when we get back to the Oregon,” she said, patting his arm. “For now, just stay sober and follow my lead.” He sounded more concerned than she was. Besides, it was too late to turn around. The police officers had already spotted them. It wasn’t hard, since the downpour ensured they were the only tourists on the plaza.

The officers, who’d been chatting and laughing, turned to the obvious foreigners when Linda and Trono reached the dry portico.

“Church closed,” one of the policeman said in halting English.

“We just want to take a look inside for a minute,” Linda said. “We’ve heard a lot about this cathedral.”

Trono smiled awkwardly and nodded but said nothing.

“Gas leak,” the officer said. “Very dangerous.”

Trono cleared his throat. “How long will it be closed?”

“Closed all day. Maybe tomorrow.”

Linda took out her phone. “There’s no way we could just get a few pictures?”

The officer was unmoved by her plea. His face remained a paragon of stoicism. “Maybe tomorrow,” he repeated.

“So I’m thinking we need to come back tomorrow,” Trono said to Linda.

“I’m getting that as well,” she replied. To the officers she said, “Well, thanks anyway.”

The officer nodded, tacitly sending them on their way.